The 35-year-old – who has recently undergone minor knee surgery - was one of a few senior players who were told by Clarke some months back that they would no longer be considered for selection again this season.

But due to changing circumstances – which includes a recent injury for Ellis Harrison and Matty Taylor's January move to rivals Bristol City - the former Crystal Palace player was a surprise name among the replacements ahead of the League One game at the Memorial Ground which Rovers won 2-1.

Ollie Clarke celebrates his goal against Chesterfield last Saturday

"Jermaine came on with 20 minutes to go and people will be looking at that," said Clarke after Easter replaced the impressive Luke James in the second-half. "What I will say is that he has had a minor knee operation otherwise he would have probably been involved a bit more.

"He's just come back from that and I'm certainly not a manager who has an ego to cut my nose to spite my face. He will come in for competition for the rest of the season now and see how it goes.

"I did tell Jermaine that his future lied elsewhere but things change in football and things change quickly so the carrot for him is to finish the season and get him some fitness – he only joined training yesterday.